Football Fun to the Four

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Twenty four teams of bright-eyed and enthusiastic young football players participated in their first organised football games at Greenwood Academy in Irvine last weekend.

As part of a brand new 4 v 4 football initiative organised by the Scottish FA South West Region, the teams will come together four times over the next couple of months and play numerous games in the format which best suits the development of young players.

The feedback from the coaches has been first class and all the players get lots of touches on the ball and a chance to score plenty of goals.

Organiser Alan Sloss stressed that: “It is key that the players are left to make their own mistakes and can play in a relaxed way that replicates the informal football of the past played in the street and parks.

"The parents and coaches have been great so far and we hope that they continue to support a positive ethos that we are trying to develop and keep away from the hyper–competitive approach that sometimes infects the children’s game”

Eleven of Ayrshire’s recognised clubs, many of them involved in the Scottish FA Quality Mark scheme, provided the new groups of players. They all recognise that the 4 v 4 format is a great way of building a good level of skill and a real love for playing the game that will last these youngsters for a lifetime.

The 4 v 4 games are played on the excellent third generation synthetic pitch at Greenwood and the teams use the custom built 4 v 4 goals that were provided by the South West Region and sponsored by the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities programme.

All of teams who attended should be congratulated for the standard of play and the dedication to making sure that the young stars of the future get the best possible football education. Well done everyone!

For further information please contact the South West Regional Office on 01294 317430 or contact southwest@scottishfa.co.uk.